U.S. patent application number 14/856799 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for retail display recognition system and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOBITOR CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Kausain Ahmed, Mickey Meehan, Anton Vishnyak. Invention is credited to Kausain Ahmed, Mickey Meehan, Anton Vishnyak.
Application Number | 20160004995 14/856799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55017242 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160004995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meehan; Mickey ; et
al. |
January 7, 2016 |
Retail Display Recognition System and Method of Use
Abstract
Disclosed is a system and method for recognizing retail displays
or fixtures. The system includes a plurality of beacons that is in
communication with one or more user devices operated by an end
user, wherein the beacons are attached to retail displays. Each of
the plurality of beacons includes a set of unique identifier stored
therein so as to identify a retail display on which it is attached.
The user device is configured to locate a beacon and determine
whether or not the unique identifier of the beacon matches the
unique identifier for the beacon stored in the system.
Inventors: |
Meehan; Mickey; (Walnut
Creek, CA) ; Vishnyak; Anton; (San Ramon, CA)
; Ahmed; Kausain; (Walnut Creek, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Meehan; Mickey
Vishnyak; Anton
Ahmed; Kausain |
Walnut Creek
San Ramon
Walnut Creek |
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MOBITOR CORPORATION
Walnut Creek
CA
|
Family ID: |
55017242 |
Appl. No.: |
14/856799 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62175980 |
Jun 15, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/087 20130101;
H04W 4/80 20180201 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20060101
G06Q010/08; H04W 4/00 20060101 H04W004/00 |
Claims
1. A system for auditing retail displays, comprising: a beacon
comprising a transmitter for transmitting beacon signals and an
identifier set stored therein, wherein said beacon is attached to a
retail display; a user device and a server in communication over a
network; said server and said user device having access to a
database; said user device having a client side application for
communication with said server and a sensor for detecting said
beacon signals, wherein upon detecting said beacon signals,
receiving said identifier set from said beacon and transmitting
said identifier set to said server to request said server to
retrieve a second identifier set from said database, further
wherein upon receiving said second identifier set from said server,
determining whether said identifier set and said second identifier
set match.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said database comprises an
identification bank; said identification bank comprising said
second identifier set.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said server is further configured
to manage said identification bank of said database.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said identifier set and
said second identifier set comprises a beacon identification
number, a store identification number, and a display identification
number.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said server retrieves said second
identifier set comprising said beacon identification number of said
identifier set such that said beacon identification number of said
identifier set and said beacon identification number of said second
identifier set are identical.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said user device further
comprises a GPS module to determine a location of said user device
with respect to a location of said beacon.
7. A computer-implemented method for auditing retail displays,
comprising executing on a processor the steps of: scanning for a
beacon with a user device to establish a communication with said
beacon to detect a retail display and to retrieve an identifier set
stored in said beacon, said identifier set associated with a retail
display on which said beacon is attached; upon receiving said
identifier set from said beacon, transmitting to a server said
identifier set to request said server to retrieve a second
identifier set from a database, wherein each of said identifier set
and said second identifier set comprises a beacon identification
number, further wherein said beacon identification number of said
identifier set and said beacon identification number of said second
identifier set are identical; comparing said identifier set and
said second identifier set to determine whether said identifier set
and said second identifier set are identical; if said identifier
set and said second identifier set are identical, verifying said
retail display is a correct display.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of said identifier set and
said second identifier set further comprises a store identification
number and a display identification number.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of
determining a distance between said user device and said
beacon.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein scanning for said beacon further
comprises the steps of: automatically receiving beacon signals from
said beacon, wherein said beacon is within proximity of said user
device.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein scanning for said beacon further
comprises the steps of: using a mapping feature to view said beacon
on a map displayed on a GUI of a client side application on said
user device.
12. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions,
comprising: instructions for detecting a beacon attached to a
retail display, said beacon comprising an identifier set, wherein
said identifier set identifies said beacon and said retail display;
instructions for transmitting, upon detecting said beacon, said
identifier set to a server to retrieve a second identifier set from
a database; instructions for comparing, upon receiving said second
identifier set from said server, said second identifier set and
said identifier set in order to determine whether said second
identifier set and said identifier set match.
13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein each
of said identifier set and said second identifier set comprises a
beacon identification number, a store identification number, and a
display identification number, further wherein said beacon
identification number of said identifier set and said beacon
identification number of said second identifier are identical.
14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, further
comprising instructions for mapping said beacon and displaying said
beacon on a mapping feature on said user device.
15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, further
comprising instructions for verifying that said retail display is a
correct display if said identifier set and said second identifier
set are identical.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/175,980, filed Jun. 15, 2015, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a new and
improved retail display recognition system and method of use
thereof. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a
system and method for auditing correct retail displays and fixtures
with beacons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many stores carry numerous merchandise and products for
various brands. Thus, many companies require store sales
representatives and merchandisers to conduct merchandise auditing
and survey retail displays or fixtures to ensure that specific
goods and items are accurately and uniformly displayed in various
stores. Currently, the methods of merchandise auditing and
surveying retail displays or fixtures are limited to visiting
stores on a regular basis, visually inspecting the retail displays
or fixtures to be audited, and recording the audit manually.
[0004] However, this method is problematic and ineffective when the
sales representatives and merchandisers are unfamiliar with the
retail displays or fixtures. Even when the sales representatives
and merchandisers are familiar with the retail displays or fixtures
in question, the existing system and method do not allow the sales
representatives and merchandisers to make sure that they are
collecting data against or auditing the correct retail fixture. In
this regard, there is a need in the prior art for a system and
method that allow sales representatives and merchandisers to
collect information against the correct retail displays or
fixtures.
[0005] Some systems in the prior art utilize short-range signal
emitting devices to communicate with individuals in a store
setting. While these signal emitting devices generally communicate
with the individuals via a computer system, these computer systems
do not comprise handheld electronic devices that are operable via
an end user, wherein the handheld electronic devices are configured
to verify whether a correct retail display or fixture is
audited.
[0006] Other systems in the prior art comprise short-range signal
emitting devices that communicate with handheld electronic devices
that are operable via the end user. These systems, however, are
configured to locate individuals such as shoppers via detecting
signals emitted from the handheld electronic devices in order to
broadcast commercial messages. In this regard, the handheld
electronic devices do not scan or seek the beacons in order to
audit retail fixtures.
[0007] Finally, some prior art references disclose the method of
assigning identifiers to signal-emitting devices such as beacons to
inventory items. In this regard, these prior art references do not
disclose beacons that comprises a set of unique identification
numbers stored therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of
devices and systems for auditing retail merchandise now present in
the prior art, the present invention provides an improved a system
for recognizing retail displays or fixtures and method of use.
[0009] The following discloses a simplified summary of the
specification in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive
overview of the specification. It is intended to neither identify
key or critical elements of the specification nor delineate the
scope of the specification. Its sole purpose is to disclose some
concepts of the specification in a simplified form as to prelude to
the more detailed description that is disclosed later.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a
system for recognizing retail displays or fixtures and method of
use. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of
beacons, each of the beacons removably attached to a retail display
or fixture. Each beacon further comprises a set of identification
numbers, which include a beacon identification number, a store
identification number, and an item identification number. In other
embodiments, the store identification number further comprises a
department identification number, an aisle identification number,
and/or a bin identification number. In this regard, each beacon
associates a particular retail display or fixture with a particular
store and/or location.
[0011] The beacon is in wireless communication with one or more
user devices and can transmit the identification numbers stored
therein. An end user can use the user device to scan for the
beacons and to verify whether the user is within a predetermined
proximity of a specific store display or fixture. In this way, the
present system and method allows users to confirm that they are
collecting data against or auditing the correct retail display or
fixture.
[0012] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide a system that allows end users to accurately audit retail
displays whether or not the end users are familiar with a
particular retail display that they are auditing.
[0013] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a system that utilizes beacons for associating a particular retail
display or fixture with a particular store and/or location.
[0014] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a system that comprises a client side application for
matching a beacon with a unique identifier that is associated with
a retail display.
[0015] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a system that utilizes standard SDK, application program
interface (API), and programming conventions to allow for access to
any number of features and functions.
[0016] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a server that can manage unique identifiers that are
associated with respective beacons and retail displays.
[0017] It is still another objective of the present invention to
provide a system that allows end users to accurately audit retail
displays for an unlimited number of retailers and vendors in
various store settings.
[0018] In the light of the foregoing, these and other objective are
accomplished in accordance of the principles of the present
invention, wherein the novelty of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description and appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
exemplary drawings, in which like reference characters refer to
like parts throughout, and in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a high-level schematic diagram of the present
system.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of the present
system.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system of
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary work flowchart of the present
method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention is directed towards a system and
method for recognizing retail displays or fixtures. For purposes of
clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative views of the
present invention are described with references made to the
above-identified figures. Various modifications obvious to one
skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0025] As used in this application, the terms "component,"
"module," "system," "interface," or the like are generally intended
to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware or a
combination of hardware and software. For example, a component can
be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor,
an object, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an
application running on a controller and the controller can be a
component. One or more components can reside within a process
and/or thread of execution and a component can be localized on one
computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.
[0026] As another example, an interface can include I/O components
as well as associated processor, application, and/or API
components.
[0027] Furthermore, the claimed subject matter can be implemented
as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a
computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term
"article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a
computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, or
media.
[0028] Moreover, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or
design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to disclose
concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the
term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an
exclusive "or." Additionally, the articles "a" and "an" as used in
this application and the appended claims should generally be
construed to mean "one or more" and "at least one" unless specified
otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
It is to be appreciated that determinations or inferences
referenced throughout the subject specification can be practiced
through the use of artificial intelligence techniques.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a view of the
present system 100. The present invention comprises a plurality of
user devices 101A, 101B in communication with one or more beacons
112 on a retail display 113 over a network 114, wherein the user
devices 101A, 101B are operated via an end user 115, further
wherein the end user 115 is the person performing a retail display
audit. Without limitation, the user devices 101A, 101B comprise a
portable user device such as a tablet computer, a mobile device, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), an e-reader, or other
data-enabled device. Additionally, the network 114 comprises the
Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN),
wireless data networks such as Wifi, and the like.
[0030] Non-limiting examples of a retail display 113 includes,
displays of items on shelves at selected stores, including grocery
stores, wholesale stores, museums, special promotional displays of
goods, manufacturer supplied displays of goods, and/or any other
arrangement and display of items separate from the store shelving
providing the customary/usual display of a store's inventory.
Additionally, the retail display 113 may comprise a freestanding
display stand as depicted in FIG. 1, or displays on shelves in an
aisle of a grocery or other retail store.
[0031] The beacon 112 of the present system comprises any variety
of beacons comprising a transmitter and a plurality of identifiers
stored therein. The beacon 112 is removably attached to the retail
display 113 or is structurally integral thereto. The specific type
of the beacon 112, however, is not of primary relevance with regard
to the intent of the present invention, which portends to provide a
retail display auditing system that utilizes beacons to associate a
particular retail display or fixture with a particular store and/or
location.
[0032] Each of the beacons 112 and the retail display 113 is linked
to a client account, which is created by a client that controls the
retail display 113 and that provides or supplies all and any goods
displayed thereon. It is contemplated that the client may comprise
an individual person or an entity, depending upon embodiment. It is
important to distinguish that the client is not the actual store,
the retailer, or the vendor offering the goods for sale displayed
on the retail display 113.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an exemplary block
diagram of the present system. The front end 131 of the system
comprises a user device 101 in communication with a plurality of
beacons 112A-112C, wherein each of the beacons 112A-112C is
attached to a retail display 113A-113C or items in a store. Each of
the beacons 112A-112C comprises a unique identifier set 125A-125C.
In a preferred embodiment, the identifier set 125A-125C comprises a
beacon identification number for identifying itself, as well as a
store identification number for identifying its location, and a
display identification number for identifying a retail display to
which it is associated. Because each of the identification number
set 125A-125C is unique, each retail display comprises different
identification numbers.
[0034] The user device 101 is configured to detect the beacons
112A-112C that are within proximity thereof or when the beacons
112A-112C are within a predetermined distance from the user device
101, e.g., via geofencing. Once a beacon 112A-112C is detected, the
beacon 112A-112C transmits its unique identifier set 125A-125C. The
identifier set 125A-125C may be transmitted using any suitable
transfer protocols such as short range wireless communication
protocols, e.g., Bluetooth. The user device 101 can determine the
identifier set of the beacon via a client side application 131
installed thereon, which comprises a SDK 111. In this regard, the
client side application 131 comprises a mobile application that is
native to the user device 101. In other embodiments, however, it is
contemplated that the client side application 131 comprises a web
application, a website, and the like.
[0035] In another embodiment, the user device 101 is configured to
locate a specific beacon 112A-112C by its identification number. In
this regard, it is contemplated that the client side application
131 comprises a graphic user interface (GUI) for manually entering
a known beacon identification number. In yet another embodiment,
the user device 101 is configured to locate a specific beacon
112A-112C by its geographic location. In this regard, it is
contemplated that the client side application 131 comprises a
mapping feature that utilizes a global positioning system (GPS)
module and that allows a user to view a graphic representation of
the beacons 112A-112C on a map in a given location or within a
specific area such as a store.
[0036] The back end 132 of the system comprises a server 110 in
communication with a database 109. The database 109 comprises an
identification bank 150, which includes a plurality of identifier
sets therein. In this way, the database 109 includes unique
identifier set 125A-125C for each of the retail displays 113A-113C
or items registered in the system.
[0037] It is contemplated that the identification bank 150 is
managed via the server 110 such that the identifier sets in the
identification bank can be updated or deleted and new identifier
sets can be added to the identification bank 150. In this way, the
server 110 is programmed to manage the identification numbers
125A-125C for each of the beacons 112A-112C, stores, and retail
displays 113A-113C or fixtures. Additionally, the server 110 may be
programmed to manage information regarding specific retail display
113A-113C, fixtures and/or goods displayed thereon. Non-limiting
examples of these information include pricing, model number,
images, back log information, and the like.
[0038] The user device 101 communicates with the database 109 and
the server 110 e.g., using a secure HTTP or other data
communications protocol. Upon receiving the identifier set
125A-125C from the beacon 112A-112C, the client side application
131 is programmed to transmit a request to the server 110 to locate
and retrieve an identifier set from the identification bank 150
that corresponds to the beacon identification number associated the
beacon 112A-112C.
[0039] Once the retrieved identifier set from the identification
bank 150 is transmitted to the user device 101, the client side
application 131 determines whether the two identifier sets match.
If the two identifier sets match, then the client side application
131 informs the end user that the user is auditing the correct
retail display 113A-113C or fixture. If the two identifier sets do
not match, then the client side application 131 informs the end
user that the user is not auditing the correct retail display
113A-113C or fixture.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of
an exemplary computer system of the present invention. The
exemplary user device 101 comprises a processor 116, e.g., a
central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a
memory unit 122, e.g., a main memory, a static memory, which
communicate with each other via a bus 124. The memory unit 122 may
comprise the client side application that is native to the user
device 101.
[0041] The user device 101 further comprises a communication module
117, at least one input device 118, a display device 119, and a
disk drive unit 120. The input device 118 comprises a user input
device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and an
environment input device such as a sensor 128 and a GPS module
130.
[0042] The sensor 128 is adapted to detect the presence of a beacon
112 that is within proximity of the user device 101 or when the
beacon 112 is within a predetermined distance from the user device
101. It is contemplated that the beacon 112 is configured to emit a
signal via a wireless transmitter 123 so that it is detectable via
the sensor 128. When the sensor 128 picks up the beacon signal, it
triggers the processor 116 of the user device 101 to determine
whether or not the beacon 112 is a registered beacon 112 in the
system.
[0043] The transmitter 123 is further configured to emit the unique
identifier set stored in the beacon 112, wherein the unique
identifier set includes a beacon identification number 105, a store
identification number 108, and a display identification number 103.
Without limitation, the store identification number may further
comprise a department identification number, an aisle
identification number, and/or a bin identification number. In some
embodiments, the beacon identification number 105, the store
identification number 108, and the display identification number
103 can be updated or deleted so that a net set of unique
identifier can be stored in the beacon 112 and the beacon 112 can
be used for other retail displays in different stores.
[0044] The disk drive unit 120 comprises a machine-readable medium
121 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures and
instructions embodying or utilized by any one or more of the
methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions may
also reside, completely or at least partially, within the memory
unit 122 and/or within the processor 116 during the execution
thereof by the user device 101, the memory unit 122 and the
processor 116 also constituting machine-readable media.
[0045] The instructions may further be transmitted or received over
the network 114 using a transmission medium, such as a signal on a
communications link. The instructions may also be transmitted using
any suitable transfer protocols, such as HTTP as described
above.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exemplary
workflow chart of the present method 140. To start 141, the user
device scans for beacons 142 that are within a predetermined
distance from the user device via the sensor that is embedded
therein. The user may automatically scan for beacons 142 that are
within the proximity of the user device or manually look for
specific beacons 142 by entering a beacon identification number or
using a mapping feature and viewing the beacons on a map displayed
on a GUI of a client side application.
[0047] Upon receiving a beacon signal from one or more beacons, the
user device can detect presence of a qualified retail display 143.
To determine whether the user is auditing a correct retail display,
the user device retrieves a unique identifier set from the beacon
and requests the server to retrieve another identifier set from the
database that corresponds to the beacon. More particularly, the
server uses the beacon identification number contained in the
unique identifier set of the beacon to retrieve a second identifier
set containing the same beacon identification number from the
identification bank of the database.
[0048] Upon retrieving the second identifier set from the database,
the server relays the second identifier set to the user device so
that the client side application determine whether all of the
identification numbers contained in the two identifier sets match.
If the identifier set of the beacon and the second identifier set
from the identification bank of the database match, the client side
application can notify the user that he or she is audition the
correct retail display 144.
[0049] If the correct retail display or fixture has been located
144, the user can resume auditing the retail display or fixture 145
and end 146 the process. If the correct retail display or fixture
has not been located, the user can continue scanning for other
beacons within the store 142.
[0050] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0051] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *